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Three months ago, Manchester United’s lineup could be easily predicted, such was their predictability towards the end of last season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came back from the block with a big gap to close to finish in the top four, and he did so with a well structured and organized team.
Part of the brilliance was that each player knew their role, with associations able to flourish as a clearly identified best XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Pogba, Fernandes; Greenwood, Rashford, martial.
Solskjaer lined up that lineup for five league games in a row, but it wasn’t long before the players started to look exhausted.
United depended too much on Bruno Fernandes to the point where he was left empty when the Europa League mini-tournament came around, with no other viable alternative to come in and give him a break, while on defense an injury to Luke Shaw exposed. United’s lack of defensive depth, with Brandon Williams struggling to replace adequately.
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Solskjaer’s decision to stick with a small group of players finally reaped rewards as United secured a ticket back to the Champions League, but the Norwegian knew more depth was needed if his team were to remain competitive this season.
In their two European games so far, United have used two very different tactical setups, which were carefully selected with their specific opponents in mind. While it is something they did at times last season, it is now a much more viable option after what United did in the summer.
United’s failed search for Jadon Sancho has been well documented, but it must be recognized that a right winger was not prominent in any of the formations they have used in the Champions League so far this season. While it seemed that signing the Borussia Dortmund winger was essential rather than optional to his success, Solskjaer has switched line-ups to ensure that the lack of a proven right winger is not a major issue today.
Donny van de Beek’s long-awaited start to midfield also emphasized the incredible depth United now has, even if their starting lineups are largely the same as last season.
United are undefeated since the international break after wins over Newcastle, PSG and RB Leipzig, and a draw against Chelsea somewhere in between. Next up is a home game against Arsenal, with United entering the game full of confidence after their landslide victory over the Bundesliga leaders.
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Instead, the improvement comes from strengthening United’s backing options. Instead of incorporating Andreas Pereira and Odion Ighalo, United could call up Fernandes and Marcus Rashford against Leipzig. It’s true that Fernandes and Rashford are regular starters, but against Chelsea at the weekend, United brought in Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood.
It was Rashford and Fernandes who changed the game with 20 minutes to go at Old Trafford, as United’s strength in depth was once again emphasized against the Champions League semi-finalists defeated last season.
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